MGTO’s new “Smart Trip Planner” website allows users to create bespoke itineraries based on real-time information 
Comprehensive travel information is presented to users of the brand-new one-stop mobile app 
The mobile app offers an online map, location service and audio guides, among others, in several languages
A new “Smart Trip Planner” website and a one-stop mobile application, both launched by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), will help enhance visitors’ experiences and foster smart tourism development in Macao. The new website and app optimise different existing tourism digital applications.
MGTO has unveiled several smart tourism projects including three first-stage projects put into service in 2019: “tourism information interchange platform”, “application for visitor insights” and “smart application for visitor flows”. These initiatives are part of Macao SAR Government strategies to build a smart city and the proposed approaches of the Macao Tourism Industry Development Master Plan.
The new website and mobile app extend these objectives and initiatives. The app is a one-stop destination for travellers seeking tourism information. The new app improves on the previous trio of mobile apps called “Experience Macao”, “What’s On, Macao” and “Step-Out, Macao”; it retains the name “Experience Macao”.
The “Smart Trip Planner” website – http://tripplanner.macaotourism.gov.mo – makes use of artificial intelligence and open data to merge smart forecasts of visitor flows with public transport information and other data to help users create their own itineraries.
A range of information is available on the website, including traffic conditions, dining, shopping, tourism activities and how busy tourist spots are. Additionally, other information is presented including activities around the planned route, opening hours at tourist sites and travel time between attractions.
The website offers recommendations and issues real-time updates on bus schedules and routes, and information about attractions which might be closed temporarily. This combination of information and updates, currently available in Traditional Chinese, helps deliver optimised travel experiences.
The brand-new, one-stop mobile app is equipped with interactive features including an online map, location service and audio guides, among other services. The app also chimes with MGTO’s tourism promotion website by giving a diverse display of travel tips about sightseeing, dining, hotels, events and walking tour routes.
Users can explore nearby tourism facilities and learn about the predicted visitor flows at major attractions. Supported in both iOS and Android, the app is available in Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Portuguese and English. Current users of the legacy “Experience Macao” mobile app can update to the new app with a single click.
MGTO continues to evaluate the direction of smart tourism development and to probe the latest uses of technology to map out better plans for tourism development. The Office is also seeking to enhance the tourism experience before, during and after trips by using smart applications to work towards improving travel quality.